Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg

About Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg

Uses

• Urinary tract infections
• Chest infections including certain types of pneumonia
• Gastrointestinal infections such as traveler's diarrhea
• Ear infections in adults and older children
• Skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria
• Prevention of pneumocystis pneumonia in people with a weak immune system

Benefits

• Two antibiotics working together cover a wide range of bacteria
• Twice daily dosing makes it easier to complete the full course
• Widely available and affordable across Pakistan
• Effective for infections that do not respond to single antibiotics

What Experts Say

Co-trimoxazole pairs trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, two antibiotics that block different steps bacteria need in order to grow and multiply. Together they cover a broader range of bacteria than either medicine could manage working alone.

Doctors in Pakistan prescribe this combination often for urinary and chest infections, but they consistently stress finishing the full course even after the symptoms start to improve within a day or two. Stopping the course early is one of the most common reasons an infection comes back or becomes harder to treat the second time around.

People with a known sulfa allergy should never take this medicine under any circumstance, and anyone on blood thinners, diabetes tablets or certain blood pressure medicines should mention this clearly to their doctor before starting, since some genuinely important interactions exist. Clinics in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi routinely screen for these risk factors before prescribing it.

Drug Class

• Sulfonamide antibiotic combination

Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg formula

• Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazole

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg?

• Take one tablet twice a day, or as directed by your doctor
• Swallow with a full glass of water, preferably with food
• Complete the full course even if you feel better after a few days
• Drink plenty of water throughout the treatment
• Do not share this medicine with someone else, even for similar symptoms

Drug Interactions

• Warfarin: Can significantly increase the blood thinning effect, raising bleeding risk.
• Methotrexate: May raise methotrexate levels and increase toxicity.
• Sulfonylurea diabetes tablets: Can lower blood sugar more than expected when combined.
• ACE inhibitors and potassium sparing diuretics: May raise blood potassium to unsafe levels together.

Risks and warnings

• Sulfa allergy: Not for anyone with a known allergy to sulfa drugs, as reactions can be severe.
• Skin reactions: Can rarely cause serious skin reactions that need immediate medical attention.
• Blood counts: Long courses may affect blood cell counts, so periodic checks may be advised.
• Kidney function: Use with caution in people with reduced kidney function, and dose may need adjustment.
• Pregnancy: Avoided in late pregnancy and in newborns due to risk to the baby.

Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet Side Effects

• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Skin rash
• Headache
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Sore mouth or tongue
• Dizziness

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30 degrees Celsius in a dry place
• Keep the strip inside its original box away from light
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not use beyond the printed expiry date